Smith, Robbie

Robbie Smith, trumpeter (& saxophonist) is currently a Professor of Music-Jazz Studies at Central Michigan University (2005-present). He graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts-Trumpet Performance degree in 1986. Rob earned a Master of Music-Jazz Studies degree from The University of North Texas (1989), where he performed in the world-renowned One O’clock Lab Band (1986-89) and can be heard on recordings (’87, ’88, ’89). Most recently, Smith held a faculty position at The University of North Carolina-Greensboro, the Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program (2004-05). He has also taught at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada (1991-93, 1997-98), Michigan State University (adjunct, 1994-97), Mott Community College (adjunct, 1995-97), Interlochen Arts Academy (sabbatical replacement, 2000) and Interlochen Jazz Camp (2010-2016), and Central Michigan University (instructor-full time, 2000-2004). 

Smith performs regularly on trumpet and saxophone as a freelance artist and has performed and recorded with several notable groups including: The Woody Herman Jazz Orchestra (worldwide concert tours), The Kirk MacDonald Quintet and the Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra (Toronto), and The Steve Haines Quintet (New York). He currently performs regularly with the Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra (2012-present), the Toledo Jazz Orchestra (2012-present), and The Masters of Music Big Band (Detroit 2011-present). In 2005 he toured with Terri Lyne Carrington, James Genus, Paul Bollenbeck, Munyungo Jackson, Mitch Forman, Nancy Wilson and Dianne Reeves in a tribute to Billie Holiday. This group performed concerts at USC, UCLA, Penn State University, Byham Theater-Pittsburgh, Chicago Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. 

Smith has performed several times with legendary jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb and can be heard with him on “Stickadiboom-The Steve Haines Quintet featuring Jimmy Cobb” (ZOHO Music-2008). He has also recorded with: The Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra-“Family Suite”, “Deep Shadows”, and “Common Ground”, The Masters of Music Big Band-“Music of Stan Kenton live featuring Peter Erskine”, The Woody Herman Jazz Orchestra-“Live at Ronnie Scott’s in London” (NYJAM-1999), The Larry Nozero Quintet-“Live at the Montreaux-Detroit Jazz Festival” (2000), The Kirk MacDonald Septet-“New Beginnings” (Radioland Music-1999), The Steve Haines Quintet-“Beginner’s Mind” (Artist House Records-2004), The Maritime Jazz Orchestra featuring Kenny Wheeler-“Now and Now Again” (Justin Time-1998), The Terry Lower Quintet-“Step By Step” (2005), The Jim Cooper Quintet-“Itchin’ To Groove” (2004), as well as several recordings with his Michigan-based quartet, Mind’s Eye. He has also recorded two cd’s of his own compositions with the Central Michigan University Faculty Jazz Sextet entitled, “Caught In The Act” (White Pine Music-2007) and “Conspiracy Theory” (White Pine Music-2010). Most recently, Rob recorded on Jordan VanHemert’s “I Am Not A Virus” (Big Round Records-2021).

Smith has performed in concerts with many notable jazz artists, including: Rufus Reid, Randy Brecker, David Liebman, Bob Berg, Adam Nussbaum, Joe Morello, Frank Tiberi, Cyrus Chestnut, Buddy DeFranco, Marcus Belgrave, George Benson, Phil Markowitz, Phil Woods, Rodney Whitaker, Mulgrew Miller, Kareem Riggins, Jon Faddis, Frank Foster, Jerry Fuller, Ira Sullivan, Neil Swainson, Pat LaBarbara, Lorne Lofsky, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Xavier Davis, Charles Earland, Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Jeff Hamilton, Terri Lyne Carrington, Bob Mintzer, Arturo Sandoval, Larry Carlton, Wallace Roney, Jimmy Cobb, Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Lew Tabackin,, Jerry Bergonzi, Steve Wilson, Walter White, Peter Erskine, Steve Turre, Wayne Bergeron and many others. He has performed at concert venues and jazz festivals in England, Scotland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, Canada and the United States.